Another eight Jamaicans will be pursuing medical studies in Cuba starting in September under the Jamaica/Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme.They are Jamila Brown, Regina Smith, Tony Brodnock, and Trishauna Thompson, who will be studying for Doctor in Medicine degrees; Sovia Brown, will read for Master of Science Degrees in Medical Imaging and Radiation Physics; Chad-Wayne Clarke, Health Sciences; Taneisha Atkinson, Associate Degree in Cytology, Histology and Thanatology; and Dr Dianna Maria Cleary, Paediatrics.
The students were officially presented with their scholarships during a ceremony held at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba yesterday.
In congratulating the awardees, Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernández, noted that they successfully met the selection criteria.
“We hope that after completing your studies in Cuba, you will return to Jamaica ready to make a useful contribution to your beloved country’s development and to the well-being of Jamaicans, especially those who are in the greatest need,” he said.
Ambassador Hernández noted that the Scholarship Programme is an indication of the continued strengthening of friendly and co-operative ties between the countries.
He informed that 55 Jamaicans are studying in Cuban universities under the programme and 42 persons graduated in the 2015/16 academic year.
In addition, more than 255 Cubans are providing their services in the island in health, education and other areas.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, advised the students to make the best of the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Cuban health practitioners.
“Cuba’s health system is recognised among the best in the world. There is none better in terms of public health management, especially at the primary level. As medical students in Cuba, you will therefore not only acquire exceptional skills including in the Spanish language, but you will also experience the warmth of Cuban health care professionals as they transfer their knowledge and their skills to you,” she said.
Regina Smith, who spoke on behalf of the recipients, thanked the people and Government of the Republic of Cuba for providing them with the scholarships, which will “take us one step closer to our dreams”.
“Not only are we being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive a first-class education, but we are also being given the chance to experience a new culture and to learn a new language whilst studying in Cuba,” she noted.
Smith promised that she and her colleagues will stay focused and, upon completion of their studies, will return to Jamaica to “bolster our health care system, with the training we received in Cuba”.
The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, meals, clothing allowance, study materials and medical care.
Jamaica/Cuba Bilateral Scholarship Programme is administered by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in conjunction with the Scholarship Unit of the Ministry of Finance & the Public Service.